Fig. 2

Scope of aromatic acids. Reaction conditions: aromatic acid (0.1 mmol), o-phthalaldehyde (0.15 mmol), 0.1 equiv. NHC C, 1 equiv. quinone, 0.6 equiv. K₂CO₃, 0.5 equiv. LiCl, CHCl₃ (2 mL), rt, 12 h. Yields determined by isolation. er determined by HPLC. ^aunder −30 °C. ^btoluene as solvent